The conflict in Somalia has had a terrible impact on freedom of expression and journalists' safety. Numerous media workers have been directly targeted and killed in Mogadishu because of their work. Many of them have therefore been forced into exile.,In the semi-autonomous regions of Somaliland and Puntland journalists are constantly arrested and detained for exercising their right to freedom of speech.

ARTICLE 19 is working with Somali journalists to increase their capacity in safety and protection.

Some profiles of journalists killed

Abdihared Osman Aden

Abdihared Osman who was a veteran Shabelle Media Network producer was shot dead on 18 January 2013 by unknown gunmen while he was walking to work.

Rahma Abdulkadir

Rahma Abdulkadir who was working with Abduwaq radio was shot dead by unknown gunmen on 24 March 2013 in Yaqshid district, Mogadishu. She became the second female journalist to be killed in Somalia.

Prof Mohamed Mohamud Afrah and Abdikarin Hassan Gorod

Prof Mohamed Afrah and Abdikarin Hassan died when the Al-Shabaab attacked Somalia’s Supreme Court while it was in session on 14 April 2013. They had successfully represented Abdiaziz Abdinur Ibrahim, a journalist imprisoned after interviewing an alleged rape victim in a sentence that brought worldwide condemnation.

Mohamed Hassan Habeeb Mohamed Hassan was a media adviser to the Bandir regional courts and previously worked for Radio Mogadishu. He was killed when Al Shabaab militants attacked the Supreme Court while it was in session on 14 April 2013.